Peripheral Pain Reaction
Refer to page 20 of the Neuroplastic Transformation workbook. Read the text beneath the graphic for an explanation of the peripheral reaction that occurs when skin sends pain rather than touch signals to the brain. There are a multitude of receptor types in the skin to process things such as touch, temperature, pressure, movement and pain. With ongoing pain, these receptors are recruited to be pain receptors, sending pain signals to the brain instead of their usual messages. The brain then reacts by making everything worse.
Skin is easily accessible. People can come up with multiple self-directed strategies for restoring normal sensations. Paying attention to the pain and identifying pain sensations versus other sensations can be extremely helpful. This allows the brain to use memory to reconnect to the variety of sensations, rather than interpreting everything as pain. The last part of the text on page 20 of the Neuroplastic Transformation workbook describes the use of gentle touch to restore normal skin sensations. Creating a soothing environment for the skin using vibration, gentle pressure, heat, cold and movement can be quite effective. Self-massage with moisturizing and therapeutic lotions creates soothing touch signals to counter-stimulate pain. The goal is to find a balance between soothing and stimulating the skin to restore comfort, function and harmony.
